Chapter 388 Nominee Accepts Veteran of the Month

Tom Spencer, president of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 388 in Carson City, Nevada, nominated Richard “Dick” Whiston to be December’s Veteran of the Month. Whiston, a Korean War veteran, accepted the honor Dec. 19 at the state capitol.

“Not only has he contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars for our veterans to make sure they see their memorials, he makes sure they can get to medical appointments,” said Kat Miller, director of the Nevada Military Support Alliance (NMSA). “He personally rolls up his sleeves and gets involved.”

Whiston has sponsored more than 200 veterans — most from the Vietnam era — to travel to Washington, D.C., with Honor Flight Nevada. Whiston also donated seven vans valued at more than $250,000 to the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Veteran Transit Program, and pitched in driving them.

Gov. Brian Sandoval said that the Veteran of the Month program is important because of the many heroes who have done so much for their fellow veterans. “I am so humbled, honored and privileged to be part of this event and what you have done for so many people,” he said.